rootcher

Message: well, thanks to all your help, we are narrowing our end of June trip down. I have found an apartment for 3 nights in Venice and a place in Vernazza. Still looking around in Lake Como area and am just starting to tackle Florence. Any suggestions on reasonably priced places to stay? some people mentioned a b&B but not sure if it is the best choice for the kids (or if they would want us - a 15, 13

Iregeo

We just returned from Italy 2 days ago and stayed 3 nights at the Hotel Alessandra in Florence. We paid E191 for a triple, but my son's bed appeared to be a trundle with a pull out bed underneath. The hotel is very well located and clean, our room was large and the service is warm and accomodating. It is, however, a 2 star, which measns that it is somewhat spartan accomodations with few amenities. Even so, I would recommend it for a family. After all, how much time will you be spending in the room? Have fun.

fluffy

Rootcher- You might consider renting an apartment, try this website: www.torreguelfa.com this is actually a 3 star hotel , but they do have an apt. that I think would accomadte a family- its not shown on the site, but email them and inquire about it.
Also 2 very popular places listed on this site are the hotel Casci & the hotel Bellettini.
If you do a serach under the hotel names listed above or Florence hotels , you should be able to get lots of info.
Good luck,
la dolce Italy
Fluffy

Statia

Try sleepinginitaly.com.

artlover

We stayed with our daughter at Hotel Villa Belvedere which was great--very large room, plus it had a garden and pool, great views of the city, and a wonderful St. Bernard named Ben. The owners were so helpful and it even had a restaurant. Only issue may be if you have a car or not--it was a little bit of a hike from the city center (but short cab ride) and they do have parking on the premises. I'd stay there again.

italiansully

Windows on Tuscany (windowsontuscany.com) has a large variety of nice apartments throught Florence and the surrounding countryside. We stayed in a very nice apartment on the oltrano section and LOVED it. We now prefer apartments to hotels...you really get a much better feel for the real city.